Business Bible Study:
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. I Peter 3:15
I Peter 3 is very practical. I gets to the point about doing the right thing no matter what. Starting in verse 8 we see a list of how to be like-minded. We should be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Another version says to be harmonious, brotherly, kindhearted and humble in spirit. That is quite a list, but Peter does not stop there.
He tells us not to repay evil with evil but to repay it with blessing. He says we are called to act in such a way even if we are mistreated or insulted our accusers will be put to shame. Then, Peter quotes a portion of Psalm 34.
In Psalm 34, David is running from Saul and pretends to be insane so that he is not captured. The Psalm starts with praising God and ends with a resolution about trusting God to “rescue His servants.” Peter uses this Psalm to remind us how to act. To seek peace, turn from evil and do good.
Back in Peter we are encouraged to not fear threats or be frightened but we are to “revere Christ as Lord.” Every moment of victory especially when hard times hit start with bowing before the throne of Heaven.
Peter tells us to be prepared to give an answer about our hope and to have such a good conscience that even if people say bad things about us, they may be put to shame.
He reminds us that Christ died on the cross for us. We are being made alive because of what Christ did on the cross. We are to align ourselves with the power of God and pledge to follow God with a clear conscience and sincere heart.
As business owners, we will have to deal with suffering, attacks and insults. In today’s social media, troll-ridden society, we can’t help but run into persecution, especially if we boldly proclaim we are a Christian.
I love verse 13, “Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?” When our motives are pure and our lives, personally and professionally, are lined up with God there are many blessings to be found and reasons to be thankful.
Blessings always outnumber insults. We can focus on one of the other, but not both. If you take time in your business to focus on the blessings, you will begin to notice even more blessings.
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. I Peter 3:15
Be Blessed and Be a Blessing!
-=Rev. Lyle
